…We too have a Good Shepherd—Jesus who is diligently tending to the needs of His flock. Despite this beautiful reality, too often I take it upon myself to meet my needs. I feel like it’s up to me to provide for myself and solve my own problems. I feel that I must take care of myself…
Read MoreRecently, I wrote this in an Instagram post:
“We tend to keep our expectations low, because we’re not convinced of God’s promise to do ‘infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes’ (Ephesians 3:20 TLB).”
In response, a reader asked, “Ephesians says God is 'able' to do infinitely more, but does that count as a promise that He will?”…
Do you want to become the leader in your home, church, or community that God created you to be?
With his book I Am David, Pastor Jimmy Evans has created a great source to help you do that.
Drawing examples from the life of King David—of one of the greatest leaders of all time—he teaches ten lessons for growing in greatness and becoming all God created us to be, even in the midst of formidable challenges…
Read MorePaying attention to our hearts matters. But how do we do it, exactly? As promised in my previous post, this week I’m sharing four practical steps you can take to connect to and attend to your heart…
Read MoreWhen I graduated from high school, I had high hopes—and a lot to learn about how to let God guide me into His plans for me. As I reflect on how my path has meandered over the last 17 years from high school graduate to professional counselor-turned-writer, I’ve been wondering: What advice would I give the 2003 version of myself?
Read MoreIn the journey of living a purposeful life, I think many people feel that finding their call is the hard part. Once they know what they’re called to, they think the rest will be easy.
But that’s not necessarily the case.
I believe it is not discovering but rather accepting our callings that is often the hard part…
Whenever you listen to the birds, ramble through a forest, or marvel at the mountains, perhaps, like me, you can ‘hear’ the songs of praise and adoration for our good Father. You may find it easy to see how nature displays God’s glory.
But what about when you look at yourself? Are you filled with the same wonder and awe? Our culture’s constant provocation to personal discontent and our tendency toward self-criticism can make it hard to recognize, but you too are part of the symphony of creation declaring God’s majesty…
Read MoreWhen we hit an obstacle, we may be tempted to grow discouraged and maybe even give up. Losing a job or having a dream put on hold can be extremely difficult. It’s certainly okay to express sadness, but we also don’t want an obstacle to stop us from progressing. If we can resist the temptation to stall out and instead pivot, our obstacle can turn into an opportunity…
Read MoreYesterday was spring equinox—one of only two days of the year when the Earth’s axis is tilted neither toward nor away from the sun. Because of the Earth’s unique position on equinox, the length of day and night are nearly equal worldwide. So whether you’re in Alaska or Antarctica, Germany or Jamaica, we all experience roughly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of night…
Read MoreDo you ever feel that because God is so big your dream, goal, or need must be big in order to warrant His attention?
We know we can pray for healing, or help with our finances, or guidance in choosing a career. But what about when the grocery store runs out of your favorite coffee and you're desperate to get more? Is it okay to pray for something so small?
Recently, I dreamed I was sitting in a comfortable living room. Seated on an adjacent couch was woman. Without any preamble, the woman said, “That was 1998—don’t you think it’s time to let it go?”
As happens in dreams, I knew exactly what she was talking about without her saying another word. While the woman looked on with a benign smile planted on her face, I spent the several minutes defending my grudge, trying my best to convince her why what happened in 1998 was actually a really big deal...⠀
Do you want to run the race of life to the best of your abilities? When you get to the end, do you want to hear, “Well done!”?
I know I do, and I’m guessing you do too! Today I'm sharing a devotion* I wrote that I hope encourages you as you push forward in passionately pursing your purpose…
Read MoreFor years, I immersed myself in my job as a professional counselor, doing work I knew was good, work that mattered and made a difference in people’s lives. Because I knew it was good work, I couldn’t understand why I didn’t find more enjoyment and fulfillment in it.
Finally, one day, while pouring out my heart to God with all my questions and struggles, I had an epiphany…
Read MoreUnapologetically herself.
This phrase came to mind while I was thinking of a lovely acquaintance. She’s enthusiastic, genuine, vulnerable, and warm. She’s not afraid to share her unedited thoughts and feelings. She is delightful, refreshing, and unapologetically herself.
Unlike my friend who seems to effortlessly express herself, sometimes I have to work at allowing my true self to come out…
The New Year always feels like a fresh start--a chance to dream big, make plans, and push forward in goals. But I know it can also be a tough time. Maybe from where you're sitting, the future doesn't look so bright and beautiful. Maybe you're facing fears about what's to come or disappointment about what didn't happen in this past year…
Read More“Are you willing?”
I felt God ask me this question recently. Over the last few weeks, it’s continued to echo in my heart, and as I’ve reflected on the Christmas story, I’m in awe more than ever of Mary, a woman who was willing…
Read MoreSometimes we face situations so bleak, we wonder how we'll ever make it through.
As we assess the gap between our dreams and goals and the reality of our present circumstances, fear hovers over our shoulder, whispering, “You’ll never have enough.”
Thankfully, fear is a liar…
We never know ahead of time if or when our efforts—our seeds—will bear fruit. Sometimes we see results right away, sometimes we never see tangible results (this side of Heaven), and sometimes results come but take longer than we expect…
Read MoreLast week I shared about how God has been giving me an extra strong reminder of the importance of relationship with Him. One of the reasons relationship with God is so vital is that it’s only through Him that we can find our true identity and purpose…
Read MoreI’m about to do something I’ve never done before. Tonight and all day tomorrow I will be teaching a four part series on purpose for my church’s ladies’ retreat.
I’ve been planning and preparing for this for months, and now the day has finally come! I am excited! And, although I feel pretty well prepared, I have to admit I feel a little nervous too…
Read More
Hi! I'm Carina, and I'm here to help you connect with God and discover and share your unique gifts.
I also love to share resources to help you make the most of the life you’ve been given. Check out my free resource library here!
Join my email list and gain access to my FREE resource library where you'll find my mini devotional Persistence Pays Off—and much more!
